Online Predator Sentenced After Grooming Minors | Leicester News

A 29-year-old man, Kieran Ridgway, has been sentenced to nine years for grooming and sexually assaulting multiple girls under 16 using fake social media profiles—he offered them alcohol, then coerced them into sexual acts. The case began in 2021 when two girls’ parents came forward; investigators soon uncovered three more victims, some believing they were in relationships with him. Ridgway claimed a fake profile was used and denied sexual intent, but was convicted in May on multiple charges including penetrative and non-penetrative sex with a child and meeting a child after grooming. He now faces a three-year extended license, lifetime sex offender registration, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Authorities praised the victims’ courage and warned of online dangers, crediting swift parental and police action for the conviction. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/cebfee280cd55b04